CLARO SPONSORS YOUNGSTER TO MADRID TRAINING CAMP

Nervous and excited" were the words young Patrick Palmer Jnr used to describe how he felt as he jetted off for a once in a lifetime opportunity - a two-week football training camp with top-flight European club, Real Madrid, last Thursday.

Palmer... I want to do my best

The trip to Madrid, Spain, for the 15-year-old footballer and his father, Patrick Palmer Snr, is sponsored by Claro Jamaica, the telecommunications company powering the nation's largest 3G network.

Claro Jamaica stated that the investment to send Palmer to the Adidas International Training Programme is part of their ongoing support of all levels of football in Jamaica.

The company says it recognised Palmer as a real talent and embraced the chance to contribute to the development of his skill.

Claro said they are very interested in the development of young football talent in Jamaica, and young Palmer is a wonderful example of what is possible from the youth level if one puts in the effort.

Claro is also the main sponsor of the Ballaz International youth development programme for players aged 4-16, and nearly all KSAFA football competitions.
Palmer plays for this year's KSAFA Under-15 finalists Cavalier FC, scoring five goals in their successful season and the soft-spoken young man is looking forward to what could be a life-changing experience.

"I'm nervous and excited to know I was selected from a lot of youngsters and I want to do my best, improve on my skills and hopefully make the Real Madrid youth squad or get a contract in the future.

"I really enjoy playing football and this is what I want to do, so I just want to do my best and make Claro proud," he added.

Cavalier's coach Mark Scotland says he's confident Palmer will make good use of this opportunity.

"He's a very disciplined, skilful attacking midfielder. He will come back vastly improved and the entire team will benefit from what he'll learn in this experience," he said.

Meanwhile, Palmer's father, who played footbal for Munro College in the daCosta Cup back in the 1980s, is thankful for this chance for his son.

"Patrick eats, dreams, thinks football. We've been doing all we can to support his talent ever since he was seven... I want to measure where Patrick is and see how he compares to other talent from all over the world and see what he has to do to improve," he declared.

"But we really want to thank Claro for coming on board and helping my son maximise his potential and achieve his self-actualisation in football," he added.

Patrick made the trip along with Cavaliers and Wolmer's Boys School teammate Jason Wright, who was selected a year earlier but had to abort that trip due to injury. Wright's trip was sponsored by Locker Room Sports